Pneumonia without fever

An elevated temperature or fever is one of the characteristic symptoms of pneumonia. Nevertheless, inflammatory processes in the lung area can occur even without fever. In such cases one speaks of “cold pneumonia“.

Since one of the most important symptoms of cold pneumonia is missing, the affected patients are often initially diagnosed with a flu-like infection. Due to the similar symptoms, cold pneumonia itself is in many cases only recognized as such at a very late stage. A pneumonia that does not cause a fever usually manifests itself by The intensity of these symptoms depends primarily on the age of the patient and the extent of the inflammatory processes.

Pneumonia without fever is contagious, just like classic pneumonia. (More on the subject: Pneumonia Risk of infection)In most cases, viral pathogens (so-called pneumococci) can be detected in a patient who does not have a fever in the case of pneumonia. These, for pneumonia without fever, typical viral pathogens, are transmitted to other people by droplet infection.

In addition to pneumococci, bacterial pathogens can also be a possible cause of pneumonia without fever. In a direct comparison between children and adults, it can be observed that pneumonia without fever occurs much more frequently in infants and children. In addition, elderly people and people with impaired immunity are at increased risk of developing pneumonia that does not cause fever.

If bacterial pathogens are responsible for the occurrence of pneumonia without fever, treatment is usually carried out by administering an antibiotic.Viral pneumonia, on the other hand, which does not cause fever, must be treated purely symptomatically. Affected patients should always ensure that they drink sufficient amounts of fluids. In addition, light physical exercise and special breathing exercises should positively influence the course of the disease.

Limb Pain
Pain in the chest area
Back pain
Coughing and
General lassitude

Infant vs. adult

The occurrence of pneumonia is not uncommon in both infants and adults. However, the symptoms of the disease vary slightly depending on the age of the person affected. The typical pathogen spectrum is also slightly different in infants and adults.

For this reason, the age of the patient plays a decisive role in the choice of the most suitable treatment measures. If an adult suffers from pneumonia, it typically causes flu-like symptoms. An adult suffering from pneumonia often develops symptoms such as aching limbs, chest and back pain, elevated body temperature or fever, cough and shortness of breath.

In infants, however, symptoms such as unwillingness to drink or refuse to eat, cough (with greenish or yellowish sputum), a bloated abdomen, abdominal pain, rapid and shallow breathing and high fever are typical of pneumonia. In both infants and adults, classical pneumonia is usually caused by bacterial pathogens. If an infant falls ill with pneumonia, viral pathogens such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus), the adenovirus and the influenza virus (flu virus) must also be considered as possible causes. Furthermore, pneumonia, which causes pronounced symptoms, can be caused by fungi in premature babies and immunocompromised adults. In newborns and premature infants who show such symptoms, atypical pathogens such as Chlamydia or Pneumocystis carinii should also be excluded.